Two monkeys have been successfully recaptured and returned to a compound in South Carolina. These primates had escaped from a facility that breeds them for medical research.
The Alpha Genesis facility in Yemassee, South Carolina, became the focus of attention after a significant number of rhesus macaques, amounting to 43, managed to escape last week. As of the latest reports, 32 of these monkeys have been recaptured, leaving 11 still unaccounted for.
Interestingly, the two monkeys recaptured recently were found indulging in peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, according to statements from Alpha Genesis officials. Despite their brief adventure outside the facility, the monkeys were observed to be in good health. Their return has been part of ongoing efforts by Alpha Genesis to retrieve all escaped primates.
The monkeys, described as the size of a cat and weighing approximately 7 pounds each, are all female. They were part of the population the facility breeds for sale to medical research centers and other scientific institutions. These primates hold significant value in research as they share about 93% of their DNA with humans—a fact that underscores the ongoing utilization of rhesus macaques in scientific studies since the late 1800s.
Authorities, including federal health officials, have assured the public that these monkeys pose no threat to health or safety. The facility has advised people to avoid interacting with the monkeys and to refrain from using drones in the area so as not to startle them further.
Efforts to bring back the remaining monkeys continue with traps set around the compound. Employees report hearing the monkeys through the woods as they monitor the area vigilantly. While the animals are skittish and may flee when approached, Alpha Genesis remains committed to recovering them all.
This incident raises questions about the security measures in place at facilities like Alpha Genesis, where the accidental escape occurred due to an improperly secured enclosure. The company remains focused on tightening these measures to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
The situation at the Alpha Genesis facility highlights the challenges of managing animals used in research. While the return of the escaped monkeys is a positive development, it also prompts a broader conversation about the protocols needed to ensure both animal welfare and public safety.
Source: Local10
